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I think they should be used on near max effort lifts no matter the skill level. With that being said, if you are in the beginner or even into the intermediate stage you should do a good bit of work without one to continue to develop strength in the core and back.

Even now I do a good bit of back off sets without my belt to work areas that might be lacking from the use of the belt.

I don't even own a belt. I've pulled up to 500lb with no extra stuff, just me and my chucks. I'm probably going to get one soon because I'm moving into geared lifting, but I think you have a ton of room for growth before you need to worry about anything other than moving as much weight with the best form you can.

I own knee wraps but haven't used them yet, don't own a belt and not sure if I'd like one or not. Is it a guarantee that your lifts would increase? Only thing I've used so far is versa grips and I hardly use them to be honest.

Leave your ego at the door.
Prepare. Showing up dehydrated, hungry, and tired will guarantee failure.
Be ready to fight for that grinder of a PR.
Listen and learn. Absorb everything you can, and assimilate that knowledge.

I like to use a belt on my heavy (low rep) squat sets. I don't wear it very tight and probably do not get anything extra out of it in terms of extra weight lifted. But I do like it for helping to keep my form solid when the weights get heavier. Wearing it kind of loosely, not sloppy but not cinched down, really forces me to drive my abdominals into it.

I agree with the use it when you get close to a maximum weight or rep crowd. I think it does give you a boost, even if it is only mental or is a form cue as OR mentions. ( I use a belt on max benching for that very reason as I doubt it does anything to bench at my level of lifting).

Only thing I would add is in my opinion it also provides a bit of safety when it gets hairy on a really heavy lift. I believe it can keep you from a low back injury you if you are pushing the envelop and get into a bad position on a squat or deadlift or even an OH lift. I don't know for a fact that is true, but I believe it.

My max with a belt and my max without one go pretty much hand in hand. What was 100% a couple months ago is 90% now and I don't "need" the belt on that same weight anymore is what I mean by that.

__________________
I am Anton Zdravko Martin!

Best meet lifts: Sq 150 Kg (330 lb), Bench 120 Kg (264), DL 160 (352) @89 Kg (197)
Best gym lifts: Sq 375, Bench 280 (pause), DL 385 @205 or less
Goals: 3/4/5 while healthy and fit
"Hack away at anything which isn't essential. Do what you love, and do it often." Fazc.
"Everything competes for recovery so more assistance is not always the best idea." miked96
"Squat:15 sets of 3 with 150Kg
Deadlift:15 sets of 3 with 150Kg
It's not rocket science." Big Swede